Officials work to get voter ID law going

Updated 11:54 pm, Wednesday, June 26, 2013

This is a sample of the new photo ID being issued to voters who have no other accepted forms of photo ID.

This is a sample of the new photo ID being issued to voters who have no other accepted forms of photo ID.

Photo: Courtesy

Officials work to get voter ID law going

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Texas officials scurried Wednesday to implement a state law requiring photo identification for voters, while foes of the embattled law quickly mounted a fresh legal challenge.

The photo ID mandate, approved by lawmakers in 2011, wasn't immediately enforced because a three-judge federal panel in Washington declared it discriminatory against minorities and the poor and stopped the state from using it.

While minority advocates contend the injunction still stands, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said it was negated Tuesday when the U.S. Supreme Court found part of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, specifically the required preclearance by the Justice Department of changes in Texas voting practices.

Abbott praised the top court's ruling and said “the state's voter ID law will take effect immediately.” But Democrats led by U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth filed suit in Corpus Christi on Wednesday, seeking to quash the state law.

“It's very clear that this law does have a negative impact on minority voters and poor voters of Texas,” said attorney José Garza of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. “From a technical standpoint, the state has one more hurdle to go over before it can fully implement the photo ID bill.”

Abbott instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety, which issues driver licenses and ID cards, to take applications for the free “Texas election certificates” that will be issued only to those who lack other accepted forms of photo ID.

The first use of the IDs could be in August if some San Antonio-area school districts hold elections. There will be voting statewide Nov. 5 on constitutional amendments and in a few local jurisdictions.

In Bexar County, most voters already use photo IDs. Election officials estimate that 60 percent to 65 percent of voters use driver licenses, not voter registration certificates, at the polls. Until now, voter registration cards, which have no photo IDs, were sufficient.

Republicans led the push for the voter ID law, and when it was declared discriminatory in 2012, Gov. Rick Perry said “chalk up another victory for fraud.”

The law's implementation requires multiple steps — and fast — by the Bexar County Elections Department.

“This summer ... we have to revamp all of our training materials and revamp most of our forms. We have to look at adding extra staff to the poll sites for the first couple of cycles for it. We have notifications to do, notices we'll put in the paper,” she said.

In November, voters statewide will consider at least nine constitutional amendments. Elections also are slated for San Antonio River Authority, city of Schertz, Green Valley Water District and at least two school districts. Callanen said it'll be challenging to be ready for those elections, but they'll provide an invaluable rehearsal for 2014 primaries “to work out the bugs.”

• U.S. citizenship certificate or certificate of naturalization with photo

*Must show a valid voter registration card or submit a voter registration application

**Unexpired or expired less than 60 days

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety

Voters oblivious to the new mandate might try to vote with their current yellow-and-white voter registration cards, but that won't be enough, Callanen warned.

The voter registration cards list the voter's precinct and election districts, which won't be on Texas election certificates, but that could change someday, Callanen said.

Those who go to a DPS office to apply for an election identification certificate must present documentation to verify their identity and U.S. citizenship, according to DPS. The agency will provide them a receipt with their photo that's valid until a permanent card is received by mail.

Certificates will be valid for six years, but there is no expiration date on certificates for people 70 or older. Voters with a documented disability may apply at the Bexar County Elections Department for a permanent exemption from the photo ID requirement. Also, those voting by mail would not have to submit a photo ID.